Kuseske’s gall bladder was removed, and “he should be out and about in a couple of weeks,” according to Linda Teeter, a former Kalamazoo city commissioner who managed Kuseske’s campaign for city commission last fall.

“He’s not going to stop being a city commissioner,” Teeter said. “He should be functioning normally soon.”

Doctors were unable to remove the tumor on Kuseske’s pancreas because of its size and location, and a future surgery is planned after the tumor’s size is reduced through chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Kuseske’s cancer was diagnosed several months ago, according to Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell, after the retired teacher began experiencing back pain. Doctors originally suspected gall bladder problems but further testing confirmed Kuseske had a pancreatic tumor.

Teeter said Kuseske praised his care by doctors and staff at Borgess Medical Center and now at Henry Ford Hospital as “absolutely phenomenal.”

The first-term commissioner retired several years ago after a long teaching career, most of it spent in his hometown of Dowagiac.

He is a former chairman of the Kalamazoo Planning Commission and served on the city’s Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeals Board.

This is a portion of a statement from Kuseske released Friday by the City of Kalamazoo:

“Today, March 19, 2010, I am undergoing surgery and will begin treatment for pancreatic cancer. Luckily we diagnosed the cancer at a relatively early stage and were able to begin an aggressive treatment almost immediately.

“While there are many miles ahead on the road to recovery, we’ve now taken the first step. I feel blessed to have received some of the best medical treatment in the country right here in Michigan, including talented and state-of-the-art care in Kalamazoo.”

Several methods have been established for well-wishers to send words of encouragement to Kuseske.

Cards and letters can be addressed to Kuseske in care of Kalamazoo City Hall, 241 W. South St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

An online greeting site also has been established at www.tinyurl.com/TerryCard. Messages can be left there until Wednesday, April 7, at 3 p.m.

“He wants to make sure everyone knows how grateful he is for the community’s thoughts and prayers,” Teeter said. “They mean so much to him.”